Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Just bought a 6' 9" UL St Croix Panfish rod and ready to string it up with line. What to use? Braid or mono, what brand and what lb test should I go?
Thanks

Views: 4256

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

This is it fellas. Called St Croix and they said braid will be ok with this rod. And line made in the USA!
Attachments:

now be careful... with all that reserve power your going to want to water ski those big gill in but resist it... enjoy the bend in the rod and the fight. :)

Lol. Will do Slip! I have to find some willing fish first.

When I switched, it wasn't too hard to remember that; still have a whippy rod and a drag that really doesn't want to be set tight enough.

Andy... point the rod at the fish tighten the drag and speed reel...lol

I know you are kidding, but my point was that on my true UL reel, I think I would have to use pliers to tighten the drag enough to pop 8# line.

for the last few years i have been using a fly rod almost all the time;; havent tried the nano type line yet.  came acroos that Mr. Crappie  line;; found it to work almost perfect for a leader on my fly line-- tried it on my spinning reel-- worked great for me!!  but- i guess - each to his own what they prefer!!   another advantage to using a colored line is-- actually using it as a float!!  i can see practically any twitches in it- up to it disapearing in deep water!!

one thing i found out some time ago that really helps  line on spinning reels---  add a bit of either wd 40;; or some type of reel oil to the line;;;  it greatly helps reduce line coils;  cast better;!!

If you go with superline, try nanofil. Its smoother than fireline and has better manners than braid. I use for a couple of things but I still use mono most of the time. Nanofil handles great on spinning tackle.

Used mono for decades, was away from fishing for about 12 years, then came back about 6 years ago. Had so many problems over all the years with rats nest from the mono line so tried Power Pro braid a couple years ago. Won't use any mono anymore. The braid is so great, no more rats nests, no more sinking line and the new sensitivity/feel from braid is awesome. Been using fluorocarbon leaders and 8# braid on my walleye rods, 5# braid and flor leaders on my panfish setup but will be trying tieing direct with braid this year when I fish the slop like Slip Sinker likes to do. :)

One thing I did find out tho was the older reels don't like braid. My old Mitchell 308's developed problems when trying to break off snags. One has to grab the line to pull/break off snag. Don't use the reel/rod because with the no stretch you will break teeth from the gears. Have stopped using all my Mitchell, now use new Pflueger's and no problems since. It is hard to tell oneself to hand close the bail instead of reeling but slowly I'm getting there.

I have the Fenwick Elitetech River Runner which is the equal to this rod. I really love the Suffix Nano Braid in 6# test on my setup. I also tried Berkley Nanofil (casts great breaks easily in the lighter tests), Fireline 4# (too waxy feeling), haven't put any Flouro on it yet not sure if I will this Suffix is super nice.

…what knot do you use for tying to snap or hook with Nano?

RSS

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Got 15 medium gills scaled for Sunday supper…..my wife’s favorite way to enjoy a fish fry, fresh and fried whole in crispy corn meal…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Rose Skimmer…..8/29/2025

I’ve seen these guys in Louisiana and North Carolina…..one of the reasons I like pink jigs, the…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Check Out The Emerald Green Cheeks on this Flier……8/29/2025

They kind of have a distinctive black line under the eye similar to a chain pickerel but not as…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

One of a Dozen Largemouth in a Feeding Frenzy….8/29/2025

This river was pretty steady around 76 degrees for surface temperatures…..
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Soaking Live Cricket Tipped Jigs on Bridge Pilings….8/29/2025

"Zoom in to see those popping emerald colors at the base of the tail……this pod of…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Hit a different river today, this time working beavers are more beneficial than river otters……surface temperatures at 76.4 degrees"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"The black under the eye and a business mouth……..👍, a true predator!"
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"Yes, and mean eyes, Jeff. A bandit with the black across the Eye!"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"I found an influx of salt water in some creeks and the bite was muted, moved inland to locate better water conditions and it paid off.."
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We finally started settling down from crazy water level swings from Hurricane Erin, coolest surface temps in August in 15 years here…"
Wednesday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

augpick

"Distinct colors and markings……pretty chain pickerel……"
Wednesday
John Sheehan posted photos
Wednesday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service